1329- Toxic cocktail of alcohol and anti-depressants

(TOI, 19:01:2013)

Sunanda Pushkar’s death has raised questions about drug combinations which may become fatal...However, certain antidepressants not only induce suicidal thoughts, some can even kill if combined with the wrong things, like spiking a certain class of anti-depressant with alcohol.

... In fact, one class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs, could prove fatal if people taking it drink alcohol. In such a case, soon after drinking, BP skyrockets and the victim can suffer a stroke.

... Over 10 years, there have been reports of suicides among patients on SSRI antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft. (SSRI: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.) These drugs increase level of a neuro-transmitter called serotonin in brain synapses. This is a drug that must not be combined with alcohol. “Sedatives, anti-depressants, alcohol, can all be a deadly mix. Many depressives are also alcoholic. It does not help that any class of anti-depressant is available at chemists without any prescription,” says the consultant.

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